Each family has a unique story, but all families have one goal: to secure a safe and stable home life for their loved ones.
Meet the Paul Family.
In 2017, with the help of Bay Area Legal Services, 2-year-old Eric was placed into the custody of his grandmother, Shirley, after his parents were unable to care for him. This custody ensures his right to proper schooling districts, health benefits, and much more. Shirley had undergone a similar situation with her other two grandchildren in 2011 and would now become the unexpected yet loving caregiver of three.
Shirley’s grandkids had come to her with only the clothes on their backs.
As a mother and a grandmother, I was drowning in uncertainty and confusion.
Paying to hire an attorney to obtain custody was out of the question; she just could not afford it. She was referred to Bay Area Legal for assistance and met with Attorney Laura Ankenbruck.
Today, 10-year-old Noelle and 9-year-old CJ are thriving. Two-year-old Eric, like many toddlers, never stops moving and loves to spend time with his cousins.
When we asked Shirley, “What does justice mean to you?”, she uttered a single word: “security.”